Car-strap



(No Model.)

E. Q. BOWMAN.

CAR STRAF No; 330.461. Ptented Nov'. 17, 1885.

INVENTOR WTNESSES:

ATTORNEY NITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE;

EDMUND Q. BOWMAN, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CA R-ST'RA P.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 330,&61, dated November 1'7, 1885,

Application filed September 9, 1885. Serial No. ?76,552 (No model.) i

.To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND Q. BOWMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and County of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Straps, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descrip tion, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the same as extended. Fig. 2 is a longitudiual section through the middle of Fig. 1,with the cord or strap in its normal or retracted position.

The general nature of this invention is an extensible car strap or hold for passengers, principally in street-cars; and its object is to provide such an article that normally hangs Suspended at a certain height from the usual rod or other point of support secured on each side of and below the top of the car, but which may be drawn down (against the stress of a suitable spring) so as to serve as a convenient hold for persons of comparatively short stature.

The construction and operation of the invention will be clearly understood from the following description, in connection with the annexed d'awings, in whicht A is a handle, preferably of wood, of any desired contour, that shown in the drawings being thought most suitable, as being a convenient form to be grasped by the hand. I make in thishandle a longitudinal hole, B, leaving an offset, 0, near the lower end to constitute a support for the end of an open spiral spring, S, which I introduce into said recess. I pass a cord or strap, C.,within the spring and attach in any convenient manner to the upper end of the cord a head or button, d, that bears upon the upper end of said spring. Aneat and simple mode of securing the button to the cord is by means of one or more pins, p, driven through a hole or holes in the side of the button into the cord. To the lower end of the cord O is fastened in alike manner-that is, by apin, p'- a transversc or other convenient handle, E,

adapted to be grasped by the hand. The vertical handle A may be Suspended from the usual rods or supports, f, which are Secured to the upper sides of the car by means ofa buckle-strap, g, or otherwise. Normally, the handle E is held up against the part A by the stress of the spring S; but when the former is grasped by the passenger and drawn down it will be practically extended. In fact, the cord itself, if made long enough to project a sufficient distance below the part A,will serve as a hold in lieu of said handle. The advantage of having an extensible car-strap is that when not in actual use it remains at such a height above the floor or seat of the car that it Will not interfere with the movements of the occupants of the car, yet it may be reached by persons of short stature, and drawn down to a convenient height, the part A serving also as a hold for tall persons.

I have herein described what I believe to be the best form and Construction of my device; but I do not confine myself specifically thereto, as any skilled mechanic can modify the details thereof without departing from the essential principle of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The extensible car st'ap or hold consisting of the combination of the body or part A, the spring, the cord or strap C, and the hold E,

all constructed and adapted to operate sub-- stantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afixed my signature this 3d day of September, A. D. l885.

EDMUND Q. BOWMAN. 

